The Golden Rams lost 2 heartbreakers in the 2023 Georgia College Kickoff Tournament on Friday afternoon in Milledgeville, Georgia.  With the loses, the Golden Rams will start the season (0-2).
 
In game 1, the Golden Rams lost (3-2) to the Young Harris Mountain Lions.  The Mountain Lions stormed out the gate early as they defeated the Golden Rams (25-12) in set one.  In set two, the Golden Rams bounced back to defeat the Mountain Lions (25-22).  In a back and forth set three, the Mountain Lions earned a hard fought (25-16) win.  The Golden Rams, who were resilient all game, defeated the Mountain Lions (29-27) in set four to force a tie breaker.  In the fifth and deciding set, the Golden Rams lost (15-10).
 
Sydney Melton and Jarianis Perez led the Golden Rams with 13 kills.  Sanaa Grant chipped in with 11 kills.
 
Natalie Onozie paced the Golden Rams with 5 aces.  Onozie also led the Golden Rams with 24 assist and 16 digs.
 
Khamari Trotter and Kaylin Teasley both finished the game with 2 blocks each. 
 
In game 2, the Golden Rams were defeated (3-1) by the host team, Georgia College Bobcats.  In set one, the Golden Rams stunned the Bobcats (25-23).  But, the Bobcats won set two (25-18), set three (25-18) and set four (25-7).
 
As a team, the Golden Rams finished with 31 kills.  Jarianis Perez finished with 11.
 
Khamari Trotter paced the Golden Rams with 3 aces.
 
Kaylin Teasley led the Golden Rams with 8 blocks while Jenna Heywang contributed with 6.
 
Natalie Onozie led the team with 11 aissts while Talia Smith led the Golden Rams with 15 digs.
 
On Saturday, the Golden Rams will play Southern Wesleyan University at 11:00 am.  At 3:00 pm, the Golden Rams will play the University of West Georgia.
 
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